‘A win for our democracy’ — Fagbemi praises s’court judgment on Rivers emergency rule

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says the supreme court’s judgement affirming the power of President Bola Tinubu on the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state emergency rule is a “win for our fledgling democracy”.

On Monday, in a split decision of six to one, the supreme court upheld the president’s powers to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

The apex court also affirmed the president’s powers to suspend elected officials within a set timeframe and dismissed the plaintiffs’ suit for want of jurisdiction.

However, the minority decision argued that the president can declare a state of emergency but does not have the power to suspend elected representatives.

The ruling was premised on a suit filed by Adamawa state, in collaboration with 10 other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led states, challenging the emergency rule declared by Tinubu in Rivers state in March.

‘A LANDMARK JUDGEMENT’

Reacting to the judgement in a statement issued by Kamarudeen Ogundele, his media aide, Fagbemi said the supreme court’s ruling has “strengthened our jurisprudence and added another vital ingredient to consolidate our democracy”.

The AGF said the judgement has erased any doubt on the decision of the president to declare a state of emergency in Rivers and suspend democratic institutions.

“I welcome the judgement of the supreme court affirming the power granted the President by the constitution to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria, whenever the situation arises,” the statement reads.

“The landmark judgement has further strengthened our jurisprudence and added another vital ingredient to consolidate our democracy.

“I congratulate all parties in the matter as it is a win for our fledgling democracy and has helped to erase any doubt anyone might have had about the action of the President and the endorsement by the national assembly.

“Nigeria is for all of us, and I assure Nigerians of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to uphold the tenets of democracy and the Rule of Law at all times.”